Overall, Acura has sold approximately 9,000 NSXs in the U.S. since the car was introduced as a 1991 model, and about 18,000 worldwide under the Honda
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| Sales of the NSX have slowed to a trickle in recent years, with June sales in the U.S. at only 17 units and year-to-date sales at only 121 units. (Photo: Acura Canada) |
nameplate. Sales have slowed to a trickle in recent years, with June sales at only 17 units and year-to-date sales at only 121 units - Sales in Canada are much, much lower. In comparison, the sporty little RSX sold 2,034 units in June and 10,933 units for all of 2005 so far, and sales of this model are actually down by 4.2 percent compared to last year during the same period.
Due to the lack of interest came the need to move NSX production from Honda's small Tochigi, Japan plant, to one in Suzuka - necessary to free up space at Tochigi to produce more compact, alternative-fuel vehicles.
But despite the doom and gloom, there seems to be good news ahead for Acura's
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| When 2003's HSC concept arrived at Tokyo's auto show it certainly checked all the right boxes as a potential replacement to the NSX. (Honda Canada) |
mid-engine sports car. The current car's design, while still appealing to the eyes is now dated, and when 2003's HSC concept arrived at Tokyo's auto show it certainly checked all the right boxes as a potential replacement. A 330-horsepower V6 (no V8 as Honda has sworn never to one), paddle-shift gearbox, scissor doors, and an aluminum frame with carbon fibre and alloy panels in a form that crossed NSX with Enzo (Ferrari), made enthusiasts believe that the HSC was a foreshadowing of the NSX replacement. That is, until it was announced stillborn earlier this year by company insiders, the money originally put aside for the project being diverted to the firm's quest for developing gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.
